Atopic Sensitization and Associative Factors of Atopic Diseases in the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966
Thesis event information
Date and time of the thesis defence
Place of the thesis defence
Oulu University Hospital, lecture hall 8
Topic of the dissertation
Atopic Sensitization and Associative Factors of Atopic Diseases in the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966
Doctoral candidate
Licentiate of Medicine Anna Haarala
Faculty and unit
University of Oulu Graduate School, Faculty of Medicine, Research Unit of Clinical Medicine
Subject of study
Medicine
Opponent
Docent Jussi Liippo, Turku University Hospital
Custos
Docent Laura Huilaja, Oulu University Hospital
Atopic Sensitization and Associative Factors of Atopic Diseases in the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966
The rural living environment of early childhood partly protects against atopic diseases even in middle age
The aim of Anna Haarala's, Licentiate of Medicine, doctoral thesis was to determine the sensitization to airborne allergens and the prevalence and risk factors of atopic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis and allergic conjunctivitis, and asthma in the middle-aged population. In addition, the incidence of sensitization and risk factors for new sensitization between the ages of 31 and 46 were investigated. More than 5,000 members of the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966 at the age of 31 and 46 participated in the study.
In the survey, 7.3% of 46-year-olds had atopic dermatitis, about a third had allergic rhinitis and allergic conjunctivitis, and 9.2% had asthma. About a quarter had two or more atopic diseases. The subjects underwent skin prick tests with four allergens (birch, timothy grass, cat and house dust mite) and a positive result was used as a sign of atopic sensitization. Atopic sensitization was found in about a third of both study periods, and no significant change in sensitization was found during this time interval. Living in a farm environment as an infant provided extensive protection: The farm environment was found to protect both against sensitization in itself and against multiple sensitizations, allergic rhinitis and allergic conjunctivitis, and the accumulation of several atopic diseases. Regarding atopic dermatitis and asthma, the farm environment was not found to have a protective effect. Of the 46-year-olds with atopic dermatitis, up to three out of four had at least another atopic disease, which should be considered when treating an adult patient with atopic dermatitis.
The rural environment offers contact with a more abundant spectrum of microbes, which is thought to protect against the development of atopic diseases. This study contributes to the understanding of the significant influence of the childhood environment on the occurrence of atopic diseases and shows that the influence extends into middle age. Various contacts with nature in childhood can be recommended as part of the prevention of atopic diseases.
The aim of Anna Haarala's, Licentiate of Medicine, doctoral thesis was to determine the sensitization to airborne allergens and the prevalence and risk factors of atopic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis and allergic conjunctivitis, and asthma in the middle-aged population. In addition, the incidence of sensitization and risk factors for new sensitization between the ages of 31 and 46 were investigated. More than 5,000 members of the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966 at the age of 31 and 46 participated in the study.
In the survey, 7.3% of 46-year-olds had atopic dermatitis, about a third had allergic rhinitis and allergic conjunctivitis, and 9.2% had asthma. About a quarter had two or more atopic diseases. The subjects underwent skin prick tests with four allergens (birch, timothy grass, cat and house dust mite) and a positive result was used as a sign of atopic sensitization. Atopic sensitization was found in about a third of both study periods, and no significant change in sensitization was found during this time interval. Living in a farm environment as an infant provided extensive protection: The farm environment was found to protect both against sensitization in itself and against multiple sensitizations, allergic rhinitis and allergic conjunctivitis, and the accumulation of several atopic diseases. Regarding atopic dermatitis and asthma, the farm environment was not found to have a protective effect. Of the 46-year-olds with atopic dermatitis, up to three out of four had at least another atopic disease, which should be considered when treating an adult patient with atopic dermatitis.
The rural environment offers contact with a more abundant spectrum of microbes, which is thought to protect against the development of atopic diseases. This study contributes to the understanding of the significant influence of the childhood environment on the occurrence of atopic diseases and shows that the influence extends into middle age. Various contacts with nature in childhood can be recommended as part of the prevention of atopic diseases.
Last updated: 11.11.2024